Video: Hundreds in farewell to Segway millionaire and charity hero Jimi Heselden

Up to 1,500 of Mr Heselden's family, friends and employees gathered at his Hesco factory in Leeds - the plant that produces the troop protection basket he invented, which made his fortune and is credited with saving countless soldiers' lives.

His friend Chris Robinson, part of Hesco's management, told the service: "It's a great honour to talk about a great man. He was a friend, a hero, legend.

"There's not enough descriptive words to talk about Jimi."

Speaker after speaker remembered how 62-year-old Mr Heselden's invention became a lifesaver for troops around the world and how the tycoon, who lived at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, used his wealth to help a range of charitable projects.

He was most associated with charities which helped people in his home city of Leeds and also Help For Heroes, which looks after injured soldiers.

The Reverend Tony Thompson, who led the service, said: "He never forgot his roots. East Leeds always had a special place in his heart. He was so proud of his home city."

Mr Heselden was brought up on the Halton Moor estate in Leeds.

He left school at 15 and worked in three pits before he started his own firm.

The businessman made his fortune when his Leeds-based firm, Hesco Bastion, developed the blast wall basket as a replacement for traditional sandbags.

Last year he led a British team which bought the US-based Segway company, which makes and distributes the distinctive two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.

Mr Heselden was reported to have been worth 166 million but was also a well-known philanthropist, giving millions of pounds to charities.

Sergeant David McGregor, of the United States Army said he had travelled from Texas because he felt so strongly about he man he credits with saving his life.

Sgt McGregor described how his sleeping position in northern Iraq was protected by Hesco baskets when a mortar round landed on the other side of the barrier in 2004.

He said: "If it was not for that barrier I would never have gotten out of that battlefield alive and my wife and two children at that time would only have had a flag to remember me by."

The soldier said: "I'm here because the Hesco basket saved my life. I have a beautiful family that I've seen grow because of that."

Bryn Parry, the co-founder of Help For Heroes, said Mr Heselden was the charity's biggest benefactor.

He remembered one occasion when the businessman could not make an event at Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey, but sent a colleague with a 1 million donation instead.

On another occasion Mr Heselden successfully bid 1.5 million to win a flight with the Red Arrows.

Mr Parry said: "He gave so much. He was our greatest benefactor. He was a completely decent man - a completely normal man and an unassuming man."

The funeral service took place in a specially constructed marquee complex in the yard at the Hesco factory on a Leeds industrial estate.

Employees lined the route as the cortege arrived.

Giant screens showed dozens of pictures from Mr Heselden's life as music by Shania Twain, Gladys Knight and Snow Patrol punctuated the tributes.

After the two-hour service, mourners led by Mr Heselden's wife Julie watched as scores of green and white balloons were released into the bright sunshine. Each bore the line: "A Hero To The Heroes."

Mr Heselden died on September 26 when he fell from a cliff by the River Wharf, near his home, while riding a Segway.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned last week.